Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira admits he did speak to Arsenal about becoming the Gunners’ new manager. Arsene Wenger left the Emirates after more than 20 years in the club’s hotseat at the end of last season.
But the Arsenal hierarchy instead opted to appoint former Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain boss Unai Emery as they bid to return to Europe’s top table next term. Vieira, who currently manages New York City FC in the MLS, opened up on the brief discussions in an interview with The Times, and also explained how he has developed a managerial philosophy while Stateside.
“Their executives met through a process which included a conversation with me but it didn’t go any further. I have been allowed to grow as a coach and gain valuable experience. That has helped me become much more clear in my approach, my vision of football. A game is there to be won. I want to enjoy myself on the bench, to have a team play football I want to see. To be bold,” he said.